September 3, 2003
Glenn Mahone/Bob Jacobs
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-1898/1600)
Eileen Hawley
Johnson Space Center, Houston
(Phone: 281/483-5111)
RELEASE: 03-280
ASTRONAUT JOHN M. GRUNSFELD SUCCEEDS SHANNON LUCID AS NASA CHIEF SCIENTIST
Administrator Sean O'Keefe today announced the selection of veteran
astronaut, astronomer, and astrophysicist Dr. John M. Grunsfeld as
the agency's new Chief Scientist at NASA Headquarters in Washington.
He succeeds Dr. Shannon Lucid, effective immediately.
Grunsfeld, who played an integral role in two Space Shuttle servicing
missions to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), has studied astronomy
and physics throughout his career. As NASA's Chief Scientist, he'll
work to ensure the scientific merit of the agency's programs.
"John has a deep interest in astronautical science and has the
hands-on experience to back up what he has taught in the classroom,"
said Administrator O'Keefe. "With his background in physics and
astronomy, John is a natural selection to direct NASA's important
space-based science objectives."
After serving nearly two years in Washington, Lucid will return to the
NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston to assist the agency's Return to
Flight efforts. "I asked Shannon to come to Washington to help get
our science priorities in order," added Administrator O'Keefe.
"Thanks to her leadership, and work with Mary Kicza, our Associate
Administrator for Biological and Physical Research, our research
goals have focus and a clear direction. Shannon's insight and candor
will be missed in Washington, but I'm sure her colleagues in Houston
are looking forward to her return."
She was selected as Chief Scientist in February 2002. During her
tenure, one of Lucid's most important tasks was to work with the
offices of Biological and Physical Research, Earth Science, Space
Science, and Space Flight to develop a comprehensive plan for
prioritization of research on board the International Space Station.
Lucid also updated NASA's science policy, which had not been done
since 1996. The policy stipulates science grants will be peer
reviewed, and NASA scientists must compete for research funding.
She joined NASA in 1978 and became an astronaut in August 1979. She
has flown as a mission specialist on STS-51G in 1985, STS-34 in 1989,
STS-43 in 1991 and STS-58 in 1993. In 1996, she was flown to Mir
during STS-76, where she served as an engineer and conducted numerous
life science and physical science experiments during her stay in
orbit.
When Lucid returned to Earth after STS-79, she had traveled more than
75 million miles and spent more than 188 days in orbit, an American
record at the time. For her extraordinary efforts, Lucid was awarded
the Congressional Space Medal of Honor.
Grunsfeld is a veteran of four Space Shuttle flights. In1999 and 2002
he took part in a total of five successful spacewalks to upgrade
Hubble. As a Mission Specialist on STS-103, Grunsfeld helped install
new gyroscopes and scientific instruments and upgraded Hubble's
systems. During STS-109, he served as Payload Commander, in charge of
the spacewalking activities and the HST payload. He and three other
crewmates installed a new digital camera, cooling system for the
infrared camera, new solar arrays, and power system.
"Servicing the Hubble Space Telescope is by far and away the most
meaningful thing I've ever done. It's helping us answer fundamental
questions about our world and our place in the universe," said
Grunsfeld. "I was born the same year NASA was established, so we grew
up together. I quickly discovered space exploration and science mesh
well together and I couldn't be more excited about this opportunity."
A native of Chicago, Grunsfeld received a bachelor's degree in physics
from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1980. He earned a
masters degree and a doctorate in physics from the University of
Chicago in 1984 and 1988, respectively.
Grunsfeld was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1992. His first flight
assignment came in 1995 on board the Space Shuttle Endeavour on
STS-67. In 1997, Grunsfeld served as flight engineer for the Space
Shuttle Atlantis during STS-81 and a 10-day mission to Russia's Mir
space station. He has logged over 45 days in space, including 37
hours and 32 minutes working outside the Space Shuttle.
Grunsfeld has been honored with the W.D. Grainger Fellow in
Experimental Physics and was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service
Medal earlier this year. He was awarded NASA Space Flight Medals in
1995, 1997, 1999, and 2002, and earned the agency's Exceptional
Service Medal in 1997, 1998, and 2000.
Additional information is available on the Internet at:
http://www.nasa.gov
and
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov
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